Sponsor Spotlight: Small Potatoes

Enormous thanks to Small Potatoes, which is donating Flour City's Rasta Pasta for our May 1st dinner.

Small Potatoes is working on expanding, and needs your help. You can learn more about founder Marty Butts's plans for the bigger, better, buffer Small Potatoes -- and also pledge your support -- here.

Sponsor Spotlight: Grindstone Farm

Many thanks to Grindstone Farm, which is donating spinach for Sunday's DISHES. Grindstone is an organic farm in nearby Pulaski, NY. It grows more than 100 varieties of fruits and vegetables, which you can plug into with your very own CSA share. There are full and half seasons, "academic" shares (academic year only), even a flower share. CNY flowers delivered to you all summer -- what a fantastic way to celebrate the season. (And when you go pick up your share, you can think about that first line of Mrs. Dalloway: Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.)

For more, visit Grindstone on the Web!

Sponsor Spotlight: Wild Flour Baking Co.

The dessert rampage continues!

Many thanks to Wild Flour Baking Co., which is donating the vegan cupcakes that we're lucky enough to indulge in on Sunday evening.

The locally-owned company bakes with organic ingredients whenever possible, and relies on "pure muscle" to bake their scrumptious cupcakes -- such "old school" tools at whisks, bowls, and thermometers. And evidently, they "have the biceps to prove it!"

Personally, I have the satisfied belly to prove how delicious Wild Flour cupcakes are, but that's because I'm on the consumption end of this cycle.

You can reach Wild Flour at info@wildflourbakingco.com, or on Facebook, where you can find out about specials and other baking news (like the peanut butter cups that are coming soon!).

Sponsor Spotlight: Bittersweet at DISHES

Bittersweet
121 W Fayette St, Syracuse, NY 13202
315-474-WINE

I remember the first time I stumbled on Bittersweet this past winter. Syracuse was suffering under a cold, steady drizzle -- and I was too.

Bittersweet appeared out of the gloom, a warm-looking space offering the ultimate in warming treats -- dessert and wine. (For those who like to pair wine with something a little more substantial, "heartier" fare, including sandwiches and salads, is also available.)

We're so lucky that Bittersweet owner Patrizia Barbieri is donating its delectable Death by Chocolate Cake to the DISHES dinner next week.

If you can't wait that long to try a piece, stop in to taste your own! Bittersweet is open until midnight Monday-Thursday, and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. (I guess we're not the only ones who have chocolate crises late at night.)

Foodies out there can plan trips around specials (flourless chocolate cake! Chocolate and cheese cake!), which are often announced via Facebook.

Sponsor Spotlight: Columbus Baking Company

The folks at Columbus Baking Company were generous enough to support DISHES on our debut run. In fact, they were our first supporter for that event. We're honored that, for the May 1st DISHES, they are donating pizza dough! Which -- you guessed it -- means that, among other delectables, our chefs are making pizza.

You can pick up your own round of pizza dough from the company, which is located at 502 N. Salina Street (315 422 2913). Or visit the company on Facebook here.

Sponsor Spotlight: Wegmans and TOPS

An enormous thank you to the Pond Street Wegmans and to the Shop City TOPS, which donated the gift cards that made it possible for us to put together a delectable menu.

We thank the management of both stores for their commitment to the North Side, and to recognizing the energy in our community!

Sponsor Spotlight: Local Farms

We think of Syracuse as post-industrial, formerly urban, rust-belt city. And, as attendees tomorrow night will see, so many of the presentations reflect that self-same gritty character. So it's hard to remember, sometimes -- especially in the winter -- that we're surrounded by farms.

But our chefs have pulled together a delicious menu that's sure to remind you.

And they wouldn't have been able to do it without donations from Robert Hunter, of Hunter Farms, who has supplied the garlic; Horsford Farms, where we picked our own massive amounts of carrots, potatoes, onions, and lettuce; Owen Orchards, which generously donated the apples that will be used for the candied apple and walnut salad; and Autumn's Harvest Farms, which donated meat.

It takes a village to feed a village. Thank you, sponsors, for making it possible to serve DISHES that are farm to table!

Sponsor Spotlight: Wagner Brewing Company

Beer!

We all know that an extra beer or two helps to keep away the Salt City winter blues. (I think that only in 18th century London did people drink more beer per capita. Read James Boswell's Life of Samuel Johnson, LLD for details.)

And with the mercury registering below zero on Sunday, we'll certainly need the extra calories. By the way, in a detail that you couldn't make up, the beer we'll be serving is called "Sled Dog."

Thanks to Wagner Brewing Company for donating the "Sled Dog" that will make it possible for attendees and presenters to carry on in good cheer! And special thanks to our chef, Luke Szabo, for organizing the donation.

P.S. If the beer whets your appetite for more, Wagner's, on nearby Seneca Lake, is open year-round for tastings.

Sponsor Spotlight: 2nd Story Cafe & Bookstore

As DISHES wraps up on Sunday evening, we'll be serving coffee and cookies courtesy of 2nd Story Cafe & Bookstore, 550 Westcott Street.

If you haven't had the chance to stop by -- and from the way that tickets have been selling out at 2nd Story, it seems as though many of you have -- you should!

2nd Story sells Gimme! coffee, which is roasted in Syracuse. If the Ithaca connection doesn't have you convinced, consider this: Time Out New York recently named Gimme to its Top Ten list of best coffee destinations in New York City (the company has outposts in Brooklyn and downtown Manhattan).

2nd Story is open every day except Thursdays, and serves a delicious brunch, if you're looking for something a bit more substantial than a cookie or scrumptious banana bread. And there's no better place to beat the winter blues, with tea, a cookie, and a novel, than in this warm, welcoming cafe.

Thanks, Alexis, for your generosity!

Sponsor Spotlight: Public Arts Task Force

Long before DISHES was but a twinkle in our eyes, the Public Arts Task Force (PATF) was conceiving and initiating public arts events throughout Syracuse. Co-Chaired by Vanessa Rose and Briana Kohlbrenner, PATF -- as its mission statement puts it -- is "comprised of artists, community leaders, arts organizations, and interested volunteers who believe that public art is a powerful tool in community building."

Ongoing projects include Lipe Art Park, the Onondaga Creek Parade (slated for the spring), and Rack Pack, an initiative to design and build five bike racks throughout the city. PATF has also made make possible such events as PARK(ing) Day and the much beloved-Salt City Urban Art & Craft Market.

PATF meets at 5:30 pm on the first Thursday of every month at the Everson Museum. We thank the group for making Salt City DISHES possible!

Sponsor Spotlight: Small Potatoes

Thanks to Martin Butts over at Small Potatoes, a Syracuse-based sales, marketing, and advocacy firm, attendees to the debut Salt City DISHES will be enjoying Flour City Lemon Garlic Fettuccini Pasta.

Small Potatoes works with small-scale and start-up companies that produce natural, organic, and fair trade foods in Central New York. It also works with restaurants, schools, retailers, and community organizations to devise strategies to buy and sell locally produced goods. Small Potatoes clients include Flour City Pasta, Recess Coffee House & Roastery, Syracuse Soapworks, Better Brittle, and Superfood Citizens Initiative.

You can visit Small Potatoes on the Web here.

Thanks, Martin!

Sponsor spotlight: Columbus Baking Company

We're delighted to announce that Columbus Baking Company will be donating the bread for our debut community dinner on Sunday, January 23.

Columbus Baking Company (502 Pearl Street; 315-422-2913) is an anchor business on the Northside. And by anchor business, we mean it; Columbus has been in business for 115 years.

Thrilled? We are too. Go ahead - you can even "like" it. Visit the company on Facebook by clicking here.

We thank you for your generosity, and we commend you for your commitment to Syracuse and the Northside!